The Creative Nova has overall fair sound quality. Bass has so-so impact, is somewhat subdued and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is hazy, plasticky, somewhat thin and grainy. Treble is fairly extended, but is somewhat smeared and sizzly, and a bit prominent. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience and is somewhat congested. There is no significant difference between Wifi and Bluetooth sound quality. Provides an adequate volume level for a small to medium sized room. When combined with a second unit to form a stereo pair they can be placed to provide better stereo separation than many other models but overall sound is somewhat more plasticy and the score remains fair. During testing the stereo pairing setup was glitchy where only one speaker plays after grouping, and first few seconds of playback L/R are out of sync.

Versatility is very good. It's a stereo speaker, with multi-room support and has stereo pairing support with another Creative Nova. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth and speakerphone functionality. Communications: Has support for calling, but lacks support for texting and messaging. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated button to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Has an analog audio input and but lacks outputs. Audio Tailoring: Lacks adjustable tone controls. OS Support: Android and iOS. Battery: Has a built-in rechargeable battery. Other connections and features: Lacks a USB device port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, Tune-In and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their "voice print" to access personal information.

Overall ease of use of the Creative Nova is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device or device connection, easy but not intuitive - need instructions (may be included in app), may or may not involve inputting Wi-Fi network password and account setups. Console controls: Volume control lacks graphical position marking but has a index "marking" via verbal command and acknowledgement. Lacks volume control label or symbol but some other markings suggest (+/-) that it is a volume control. Audio mute: Play/Pause as Mute - no indication when engaged and doesn't mute line-in. Microphone mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: Requires app to be installed, app installation is straight forward. Once app is installed switching between wireless sources is fairly intuitive within the app. Can't select Bluetooth but Bluetooth can be connected by button control on unit - auto re-connect to last paired device - ready to play. App remote: Speaker symbol with a visual of level no index markings and changes with verbal commands. Mute: (Remote) Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged and mutes the line input. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.